After nearly five years, activity stirs at Avondale

The company redeveloping the former Avondale Shipyard has announced that the dilapidated property has had its first sign of activity in five years with a vessel docking along its waterfront.

Photo courtesy JEDCO

This week, Avondale Marine LLC welcomed its first vessel, the Hong Kong-based Ning Tai Hi. The ship is bound for Santa Marta, Colombia.

According to a news release, the site is not yet open for cargo operations. However, it is serving as a temporary docking facility prior to the vessel shifting to its cargo dock.

Avondale Marine is a joint venture between Virginia-based T. Parker Host and Hilco Redevelopment Partners of Illinois. They announced the purchase of the former Avondale shipyard site from Huntington Ingalls Industries in October 2018.

The company intends to redevelop the 254-acre site as a world-scale logistics hub. Plans include revitalizing its crane, dock and terminal assets along nearly 8,000 feet of Mississippi River frontage.

The site, which sits within one mile of six class I rail carriers, will connect global waterborne commerce with manufacturing, fabrication and distribution facilities. The major economic development in Jefferson Parish plans to accommodate new opportunities for large-scale manufacturers in Louisiana.